EXAMINING THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN BRIDGING EQUITY GAPS IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN DELTA STATE

Abstract

The study examined the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in bridging equity gaps in higher education in Delta State. The descriptive survey research design was employed in carrying out the study. The population for the study comprised 3,478 300level undergraduate in Faculty of Education in Delta State University, Abraka and University of Delta, Agbor. The sample of the study consisted of 377 300level undergraduates in Delta State University, Abraka and University of Delta, Agbor. The sample size was obtained using Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size determination table.A questionnaire titled “Role of Artificial Intelligence in Bridging Equity in Higher Education, RAIBEHE” was used for data collection in this study. The face validity of the questionnaire was established by three experts and the reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha to obtain a reliability coefficient of 0.81. Data collected were analysed using weighted mean with a criterion mean of 2.50 due to the utilisation of a four-point likert scale.Results showed that equity gaps exist in higher education in Delta State caused by disparities in funding, socio-economic background, location and gender.It was therefore concluded that AI technologies offer promising opportunities to bridge equity gaps in higher education by promoting inclusive education, increasing access to educational resources, and personalizing learning experiences. However, there are also challenges such as limited funding, lack of infrastructure, lack of experts among others that need to be addressed in the implementation of AI in higher education in Delta State. The study recommended among others that the government and other stakeholders in education should provide equal access to scholarship, financial aids and educational resources to students irrespective of socio-economic background, location and gender.